Problem of Recidivism and Prisons - Essay Example

Recidivism and Prisons “It is hard to be cruel once you permit yourself to enter the mind of your other than yourself is at the core of our humanity. It is the essence of compassion and it is the beginning of morality.” Ian McEwan (2001) cited by Tim Newell (2003:5) Introduction The tendency of some persons to commit crimes or offences repeatedly is called recidivism. Recidivism is important to both prison management and the public in terms of its consequences on the other members of the community and the individual. With the increase in recidivism rates, crime in the society too increases, which then leads to a chain reaction increased law and order problems. Thus it becomes very pertinent to reduce recidivism rates as far as possible. One way to do this may be the formulation of penal policies as a framework under which steps to reduce recidivism may function. Though formation of penal policies alone shall not stem growth of crime or recidivism rates, it is certainly a fundamental requirement. This brief essay envisages the development of a penal policy to tackle the problem of recidivism, and shall discuss associated aspects such as the role of prison management, prison officers and prisoners in the effective reduction of recidivism in Ireland, and also the role of community in this. The essay shall cite research studies to argue that restorative justice is a better way than punishment to reduce recidivism rates and may hold the opportunity to go beyond crime and punishment and to actually heal the society and look forward to near crimeless, harmonious communities. Recidivism in Ireland Incidence of crime in the generally closely-knit Irish society is low; however is on the increase now and the Overseas Security Advisory Council (2009) states that Ireland is just like any other European nation, with an overwhelming majority (97% + ) of the population above eighteen years of age holding crime to be a profound problem. As regards recidivism, Johnny Connolly’s report to the Expert Forum on Criminal Justice in 2008, states the following important findings: Of the approximately twenty thousand prison inmates released in the period Jan 2001-Dec 2004, “(M 93%/ Unmarried 82%/ Average age Read More